The Berlin Contemporary Jazz Orchestra is a big band founded in 1988 by Alexander von Schlippenbach. The ensemble debuted at RIAS Berlin in May 1988 and released its self-titled first album on ECM Records in 1989, featuring works such as "Ana" by Kenny Wheeler and compositions by Misha Mengelberg. Bringing together musicians from Germany, the Netherlands, England, Japan, and the United States, the orchestra included performers such as pianist Aki Takase, trumpeter Thomas Heberer, and drummer Paul Lovens. In 1996, the group toured Japan and later released Live in Japan '96.
